FDA to ban popular supplement for kids over brain damage concerns: All you need to know

The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) is all set to ban a class of widely used children's fluoride supplements, citing emerging concerns over potential brain development risks.For decades, fluoride tablets and lozenges have been recommended for children at high risk of cavities, especially in areas where drinking water lacks sufficient fluoride. But unlike fluoride in toothpaste or tap water, these supplements are ingested which increase the risks manifold.Backed by recent studies and championed by Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., the FDA’s proposed action raises new questions about the safety of fluoride consumption and signals a potential turning point in national public health policy.Fluoride is considered beneficial for oral health because it is known to strengthen enamel, prevent demineralization, and can even reverse early tooth decay. It works by inhibiting the growth of cavity-causing bacteria and promoting remineralization.Fluoride toothpaste and mouthwash? Those work right on the surface. You brush or rinse, and the fluoride goes straight to your teeth. But fluoride supplements are a whole different story. You actually swallow them, so the fluoride gets absorbed into your bloodstream and travels through your body, eventually making its way to your teeth from the inside out.Very high levels of fluoride could be a major risk for neurotoxicity in adults. This means it can have a negative impact on memory and learning. In a meta-analysis, researchers from Harvard School of Public Health (HSPH) and China Medical University in Shenyang with the help of 27 studies found strong indications that fluoride may adversely affect cognitive development in children. Based on the findings, the authors say that this risk should not be ignored, and that more research on fluoride’s impact on the developing brain is warranted.In a news release, FDA has recommended controlling tooth decay in children by limiting sugar consumption and increasing hygiene, saying that ingested fluoride can dangerously alter the gut microbiome.The agency mentions studies that suggest a link between fluoride and thyroid disorders, weight gain and possibly decreased IQ.“For the same reason that fluoride may kill bacteria on teeth, it may also kill intestinal bacteria important for a child’s health,” FDA Commissioner Dr. Marty Makary said.Robert F. Kennedy Jr. has emerged as one of the most vocal critics of fluoride in recent months. He argues that fluoride in drinking water poses serious health risks, particularly to children. His stance has reignited a long-standing debate between public health officials and anti-fluoride activists.“Fluoride is an industrial waste associated with arthritis, bone fractures, bone cancer, IQ loss, neurodevelopmental disorders, and thyroid disease,” he wrote in a post on X in November.If fluoride supplements are banned, kids will have to rely solely on fluoridated toothpaste and mouthwash to protect their teeth. It's unclear how many children currently use these supplements, which are sold under names like Luride, Fluoritab, and Pediaflor. The CDC recommends dosages based on age, ranging from 1 to 3 milligrams daily for children between 4 and 18 years old.Fluoride in drinking water helps prevent tooth decay by strengthening enamel. It’s been shown to reduce cavities by up to 60% in children and around 25% in adults. This cost-effective public health measure benefits communities regardless of access to dental careFluoridation of US drinking water began in 1945 in Grand Rapids, Michigan, leading to a significant drop in childhood cavities. Today, about a third of US water systems serve fluoridated water to over 60% of the population, though fluoride levels are regulated by the EPA to avoid health risks like skeletal fluorosis.Since 2010, over 170 communities have opted out of water fluoridation, and in 2025, Utah became the first state to ban it entirely. Similar legislation has been introduced in other states. While RFK Jr. can’t halt local fluoridation, he can influence federal guidelines. The FDA’s move to ban fluoride supplements aligns with his “Make America Healthy Again” initiative focused on children's health.